Investigating the Order of Freemasonry

Let me start by saying that "bad" publicity is still publicity and
that any seed when planted has the "potential" to grow. I didn't grow
up around Freemasons and my father was Irish Catholic. So, as you can
see, my knowledge of Freemasonry wasn't just limited, it was
non-existent. Truth be told, my first exposure to the world of
Freemasonry was via the book "Seven Ancient Wonders", by
Matthew
Reilly. There is not a lot of information contained about the Order
within that book, but sufficient enough to plant the seed of wonder.

My journey in becoming a Freemason started with "bad" publicity;
that great evil the Internet. Google turned up dozens upon
dozens
of sites that were purely anti-Masonic in nature. Okay, accepted: this
is an evil cult of Satanists, but I continued to read information on
their secret society. I kept reading because the best way to
defeat your enemy is to be armed with the knowledge of their history and
understanding of their beliefs; might I ever come across one of these
evil people, I want to be best prepared.

What I soon discovered
was to the contrary. All of these anti-Masonic sites referenced each
other. In no instance was I ever successful in locating any credible
information; that is, one that actually references any published book, a
research or university paper on Freemasonry. I did discover a number of
published works on the benevolent works of Freemasonry in
today's society; including information on moral instruction; chartible
works and societal benefits. I even found a Masonic Bible.
Ah-hah, this has got to have the alleged evils contained within it;
wrong- it is just an ordinary Catholic Bible - King James Version. I
guess the anti-masonic people just can't understand Olde English!

I
started to read things about brotherly love, relief and truth. A
necessity to believe in a supreme being. The true freedom of religion,
nationality and opinion. Compassion for our fellow man. The practice of
supporting your community and government. The need to strive for
knowledge and wisdom. The one thing that really struck home was this
simple concept, the practice of the teachings of Freemasonry is that
it makes a good man better.

This research was reinforced
when I discovered that there were Freemasons right in my own
neighbourhood. The answers that I received to the many questions I asked
followed what I had already read about on the Internet. What a
drastic difference this picture was compared to my first introduction
to Freemasonry. In my heart, at this point in my journey, I felt that
being a Mason was a good thing and that it was something that I needed
to do.

Still, I was ever the skeptic and cynic. I did contact the
local Grand Lodge of Freemasonry in my state, and my initial queries
were quickly responded to. Wait a minute, that was way too fast, maybe
this is a cult style religion after all. My mind quickly filled with
thoughts of Hari Krishna people shaving their heads and selling flowers
at the airport. Then thought about the Waco Texas incident in the
United States; still I persisted and visited many lodges over the next
18 months. Each time I visited a Lodge I found the people to be very
warm and welcoming, never once pushing towards joining them. It was
rather unsettling; how could these people expect to increase their
numbers if they never asked anyone to join them? I was waiting for
the invitation that never arrived; the onus was on me to ask to join.

If you are someone who is looking to find out what Freemasonry is
all about, don't do so with the motive of proving something or someone
wrong or right. Do so to find the true answers to the questions in your
heart and mind. The rewards of truth are immense.

There are two types of truth in this world: blind and self-evident.

Blind truths - are those truths that we accept purely on faith. Meaning that we have no solid basis on which to form our acceptance. We accept the information as fact because someone else has told us that it is true.

Self-Evident truths - are those truths which are Evident without proof or reasoning; producing
certainty or conviction upon a bare presentation to the mind. Perhaps this is better understood through the words of Ghandi: Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you
remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.

As we endeavour to discover and understand the real truths, we need to ensure that we maintain an objective (not subjective) and open mind. This is critically important because all truth passes through three stages. First, it is
ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as
being self-evident. So the questions are - on the topic on Freemasonry: * Where are you in investigations? * Are you performing your research with an open or closed mind? * Are your goals objective or subjective? * Will you accept Blind truths or are you seeking those which are Self-Evident?

What I discovered is that Evil organisations rise and fall, only to rise again under a different guise, but Freemasonry has continued through the ages as it has always been; in plain site for all to see. Unfortunately people chose not to see, and for the few that did preferred to guess as to its content than to investigate, experience and learn.

In conclusion, it is self-evident that the Order of Freemasonry is not the alleged evil organisation that is has been purported to be. Rather it continues to be, at its heart, a fraternal organisation which sole
purpose is to make good men better.It is a benevolent society that provides charity to all peoples, regardless of nationality, creed or religion. It actively practises tollerance to everyone; even the ignorant who are anti-Freemasonry because someone told them that they are evil.

Comments

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Chasuk

6 years ago

Your write of the "ordinary Catholic Bible - King James Version." Isn't the "ordinary Catholic Bible" the Douay-Rheims?

Barnabash

6 years ago

Just research Albert Pike who is still regarded in America as an eminent and influential Freemason. This he wrote:

"Lucifer, the Light-bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darkness! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the Light, and with its splendors intolerable, blinds feeble, sensual, or selfish souls? Doubt it not!"

"Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry" p. 321

And according to "most recent decree from the Vatican on the subject of Freemasonry"

"The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin."

You know what I like about your hubs? The are all interesting reading and none of them are commercial. No sales of anything, and you don't even endeavour to persuade others to accept your arguments. You write plain and matter of factly.

Keep up the good works. Any chance we'll get to read more on the Catholic side of you?

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